Mount for digitally enhanced night vision device

ABSTRACT

A system (M) for removably mounting a device (D) that is viewable by a user (U) to an essentially rigid headgear (H) includes a removable strap assembly ( 10 ) extending about the headgear (H). The strap assembly ( 10 ) includes a strap ( 18 ) with a first end ( 20 ) having a first securing means ( 24 ) to engage a first edge ( 26 ) of the head gear (H.) A second securing means ( 28 ) secures the strap ( 18 ) to a second edge ( 20 ). A mounting assembly ( 32 ) extends from the strap assembly ( 10 ) in proximity to a first end ( 14 ) of the strap assembly ( 10 ) for controllably positioning the device (D) in an ocular axis ( 34 ) of the user (U). The mounting assembly ( 32 ) controllably adjusts the device (D) along a forward and backward axis (A 1 ), a vertical axis (A 4 ), and a horizontal axis (A 2 ) of the viewer (U).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/594,339, filed Mar. 30, 2005, entitled MOUNT FOR DIGITALLYENHANCED NIGHT VISION DEVICE.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of helmet mounts for viewing devices,and more particularly to helmet mounts for night viewer devices thatattached to a helmet of a user of the device.

2. Background Art

Conventional viewing devices, such as night viewers and the like, areknown which removably attach to a support structure secured to a helmetor face mask. These conventional viewer devices are relatively movableby manipulation of the support structure to align at least one eye pieceof the viewer device with at least one eye of the user.

Night vision systems are commonly used by military and law enforcementpersonnel for conducting operations in low light or night conditions.These systems intensify the ambient light to produce an output imagewhich is visible to the human eye. Such night vision systems either takethe form of binoculars, having separate eye pieces for each eye, ormonoculars, having only a single eye piece.

Additionally, the support structure and viewer device are possiblyprovided with cooperating structural features which insure that theviewer device may be electrically deactivated when it is removed fromthe support structure.

Helmet mounting assemblies for viewer devices are available for securingviewing devices to an operator's helmet. Helmet mounting assemblies ofthis kind are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,585, issued 29 Aug. 1995,to Roland M. Morley, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,678, issued 5 Dec.1995, to Amotz Dor; and, U.S. Pat. No. 5,506,730, issued 9 Apr. 1996, toRoland M. Morley et al., among others.

It frequently becomes necessary for the operator of a night visionsystem or other viewing device to adjust its operational position inorder that the operator can optimize the position of the viewing devicealong an ocular axis of the user. Thus, it would be desirable to providea mount for a night vision system or other viewing device that enablesthe system to be easily adjustable in a plurality of axis relative tothe user.

While the above cited references introduce and disclose a number ofnoteworthy advances and technological improvements within the art, nonecompletely fulfills the specific objectives achieved by this invention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a system for removablymounting a device that is viewable by a user to an essentially rigidheadgear worn by the user includes a removable strap assembly thatextends about an outer surface of the headgear. The strap assembly has afirst end and a second end. The strap assembly further includes a strapwith a first end and a second end. A first means for securing is affixedto the first end of the strap for removably securing the first end ofthe strap to a first edge of the head gear. A second securing means isaffixed to the second end of the strap for removably securing the secondend of the strap to an opposing second edge of the headgear. A mountingassembly unit extends from the strap assembly in proximity to the firstend of the strap assembly for controllably positioning the device in anocular axis of the user. The mounting assembly controllably adjusts theposition of the device to be viewed generally along a horizontal axis ofthe user, along a vertical axis of the user, and along a forward andbackward axis in relation to the viewer.

The present mounting system optionally includes a pivot point aboutwhich the user may pivot the device about at least one of the axis ofmovement with the mounting assembly unit.

These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention willbe apparent from the following description taken with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the invention briefly summarized aboveis available from the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawingsand discussed in further detail below. Through this reference, it can beseen how the above cited features, as well as others that will becomeapparent, are obtained and can be understood in detail. The drawingsnevertheless illustrate only typical, preferred embodiments of theinvention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope as theinvention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view of the mount of the presentinvention affixed to a ballistic type helmet with a multi-spectralviewing device attached and positioned in a normal viewing position fora user.

FIG. 2 is a right front isomeric view of the present invention affixedto a ballistic type helmet with the multi-spectral viewing device in astowed position.

FIG. 3 is a left front isomeric view of the multi-spectral viewingdevice in a stowed position over a user's right eye.

FIG. 4 is a lower right front isomeric view of the rail unit of themount.

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the rail unit of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a frontal view of the rail unit.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the rail unit.

FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view of the rail unit.

FIG. 9 a is a frontal view of the transfer bar assembly adapted to mountthe multi-spectral viewing device over a user's left eye.

FIG. 9 b is a frontal view of the transfer bar assembly adapted to mountthe multi-spectral viewing device over a user's right eye.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the strap assembly of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages, andobjects of the present invention are attained can be understood indetail, more particular description of the invention, briefly summarizedabove, may be had by reference to the embodiment thereof that isillustrated in the appended drawings. In all the drawings, identicalnumbers represent the same elements.

A system M for removably mounting a device D that is viewable by a userU to an essentially rigid headgear H worn by the user U includes aremovable strap assembly 10 that extends about an outer surface 12 ofthe headgear H. The strap assembly 10 has a first end 14 and a secondend 16. The strap assembly 10 further includes a strap 18 with a firstend 20 and a second end 22. A first means 24 for securing is affixed tothe first end 20 of the strap 18 for removably securing the first end 20of the strap 18 to a first edge 26 of the head gear H. A second securingmeans 28 is affixed to the second end 22 of the strap 18 for removablysecuring the second end 22 of the strap 18 to an opposing second edge 20of the headgear H.

A mounting assembly unit 32 extends from the strap assembly 10 inproximity to the first end 14 of the strap assembly 10 for controllablypositioning the device D in an ocular axis 34 of the user U. Themounting assembly 32 controllably adjusts the position of the device Dto be viewed generally along a forward and backward axis A1 relative tothe user U, along a vertical axis A4 of the user, and along a horizontalaxis A2 in relation to the viewer U.

The strap assembly 10 may be secured to the ballistic type helmet H byusing a screw system 23 to increase the tension extending between thefirst end 14 and the second end 16 of the strap 18.

The first securing means 24 optionally includes a J shaped element toengage the first edge 26 of the head gear H. Similarly, the secondsecuring means 28 also optionally may include a J shaped element toengage the second edge 30 of the head gear H.

In a preferred embodiment the device D to be viewed is movably supportedby the mounting assembly 32 that includes an adjustable carrier unit 40coupled to a rail unit R having a system of at least one rod or rail 60extendible substantially parallel to the ocular axis 34 of the user U.The adjustable carrier unit 40 includes at least one controlling element62 to controllably move the device D to be viewed along at least oneaxis substantially perpendicular to the rail system 60.

The viewing device D may be secured to the carrier unit 40 using holes90 formed in bottom mounting plate or surface 88 of the carrier 40.

The present mounting system M optionally includes a pivot point 36 in apivot block 46 about which the user U may pivot the device D about atleast one of the axis A3 of movement with the mounting assembly unit 32.

The mounting assembly unit 32 may be removable from the strap assemblyunit 10 by detaching the mount base plate 68 from the strap assembly 10.

The rail unit 32 may include one or more housing rails 54 along whichthe carrier unit 40 slides or moves fore or aft along the axis A1. Thehousing rails 54 are supported by one or more frame rails 52 that areattached to the base plate 68 through the pivot block 46.

The carrier unit 40 may optionally include an adjustment member or screwcontrol 78 to permit lateral movement or adjustment of the device Dalong a horizontal axis A2. The adjustment screw 78 may be used toadjust for the inter-pupilary distance of the user U.

A tilt or pivot rod 76 extends through the carrier unit 40 to permit thetilt or pivot of the device mounting plate 88 relative to the housingrails 54. A tilt plate 72 cooperates with tilt housing 56 and the tiltor pivot rod 76 of the carrier unit 40 to permit fine adjustment of theaxis for viewing the device D about at least one axis A1 through A4 asdesired. Likewise, a tilt cam 50 may be used in the adjustment of thetilt of the device D. A pivot locking pin 58 may be used for tilting orstowing of the device D.

One or more optional controls 60 may be included with the carrier unit40. Such controls 60 may include an assembly lock button 42 to lock theelements of the carrier assembly 40 in a selected location for optimalviewing of the device D. An assembly lock button 44 is desirablyincluded to secure the carrier unit against additional fore and aftadjustment or movements along the rail 54. A hinge button 48 may be usedto release the rail assembly R to be pivoted into or out of position infront of the user's desired eye 38.

The mounting assembly 32 of the mounting system M preferably includes anadapter unit for selectively positioning the device D to be viewed infront of a desired eye 38 of the user U.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, the mounting assembly 32 ofthe mounting system M optionally includes a transfer bar assembly Tadapted to extend from the first end 14 of the strap assembly 10 andwith a T shaped transfer bar 84 for the mount may extend from the firstend 14 of the strap assembly 10. A mount base plate 68 of the mountingassembly 32 is adapted to be secured or attached to the transfer bar 84.Alignment points or protrusions 92 (FIG. 5) may be formed with an outerface of the base plate 68 to align the mounting assembly in front of oneeye 38 of the user U at complementary secure points or holes 94 a formedin transfer bar 84, or alignment points 92 may be mated with analternative set of secure points 92 b to align the device D in front ofthe other eye 38 of the user U.

A “J” shaped transfer connector bar 80 with an electrical connector 82for communicating electrical signals with the device D to be viewed andan optional electronics interface module or package E may be secured tothe mounting system M. A known electrical ribbon cable 86 may be used tocommunicate the electrical signals and extend between the connector 82and the device D. The optional electronics interface module may includeone or more exposed control knobs 96 to adjust the operation or controlof the device D.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention areillustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size,shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

1. A system for removably mounting a device that is viewable by a userto an essentially rigid headgear worn by the user, the inventioncomprising: a removable strap assembly extending about an outer surfaceof the headgear and having a first end and a second end; the strapassembly further including a strap having a first end and a second end,a first securing means affixed to the first end of the strap for aremovably securing the first end of the strap to a first edge of thehead gear, and a second securing means affixed to the second end of thestrap for a removably securing the second end of the strap to anopposing second edge of the headgear; and a mounting assembly unitextending from the strap assembly in proximity to the first end of thestrap assembly for controllably positioning the device in an ocular axisof the user; the mounting assembly controllably adjusting the positionof the device to be viewed along a horizontal axis of the user, along avertical axis of the user, and along a forward and backward axis inrelation to the viewer.
 2. The invention of claim 1 further includingpivoting means for pivoting the device about at least one of the axis ofmovement with the mounting assembly unit.
 3. The invention of claim 1further including adapter means for selectively positioning the deviceto be viewed in front of a desired eye of the user.
 4. The invention ofclaim 3 further including means for communicating electrical signalswith the device to be viewed.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein thefirst securing means includes aJ shaped element to engage the first edgeof the head gear.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the secondsecuring means includes aJ shaped element to engage the second edge ofthe head gear.
 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the device to beviewed is movably supported by an adjustable carrier coupled to a railsystem extendible substantially parallel to the ocular axis of the user.8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the adjustable carrier includescontrolling means to controllably move the device to be viewed along atleast one axis substantially perpendicular to the rail system.
 9. Theinvention of claim 7 wherein the mounting assembly unit is demountablefrom the removable strap assembly.